The Sea Wasp (Ryk E. Spoor)

Yes, you're correct, and in fact I'm using disposable boosters and possibly atmospheric drag for slowing one of the vessels. If you use the boosters at the right point in a planetary approach you can get a LOT more delta-V (either positive or negative) than from the straight booster alone. Which is a good thing, given the velocities I'm having some of these things go at.